Board discusses Senate Bill 2002 and potential effects on funding and athletic eligibility

Speaker 3 summarized the district’s concerns about Senate Bill 2002, saying the measure would allow parents to transfer students to another district and noted that the receiving district could charge for entrance or deny admittance depending on circumstances. Speaker 3 urged awareness and contact with legislators as the session continues through April.

Speaker 10 and others added fiscal context: local funds (millage) would not follow transferred students — the receiving district would obtain state funding but not the local tax revenue generated in the original district. Speaker 10 warned that a large in‑migration of students would dilute local millage support for Hancock County schools. Board members also raised athletic eligibility questions: some criteria in the bill and high‑school administration guidance could make transferred students ineligible for the upcoming athletic season.

Board members acknowledged the tradeoffs in school‑choice proposals and discussed outreach to legislators. No formal board vote on the bill occurred at this meeting.